The First Uncle of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 142: Special Skills
Ma Xun could have pretended not to understand some of Zhu Biao's teasing, since he always liked to play dumb anyway.

But sometimes, there is no way to pretend to be confused.

Looking at Zhu Biao, Ma Xun asked, "Prince, you are here today, surely not because the Marquis of Yongcheng asked me to treat his illness and prescribe medicine, right?"

Zhu Biao smiled and said, "I heard that the Marquis of Yongcheng came to ask for medicine, so I came to take a look. I know that my uncle always cherishes his reputation, and I am afraid that these people will come here often."

It is impossible to completely prevent Ma Xun from seeing a doctor, because some people are more concerned about their reputation.

However, Zhu Yuanzhang and his family did not want too many people to seek medical treatment. If Ma Xun was cured, it would be a good thing. If he was not cured, it would also affect his reputation.

As for Ma Xun's medical skills, Zhu Yuanzhang and his family had no doubts about it.

Ma Xun could only respond with a smile. He had put on the hat of a famous doctor and it was basically impossible for him to take it off.

"I heard earlier that my parents wanted my uncle to take my brothers back to our hometown." Zhu Biao explained his purpose, "I want to take the opportunity to let my uncle take a closer look at the situation in our hometown, especially the people who have migrated there, and the nobles."

Ma Xun knew it clearly, and Zhu Biao continued, "After all, the second generation is too young, and sometimes not very smart, so it is easy to be deceived."

Ma Xun said immediately, "Don't worry, Prince. If there are any lawless nobles who commit evil, I will deal with them if I can, and report to His Majesty and His Highness immediately if I cannot."

Ma Xun was not afraid of offending people, even those founding dukes and marquises.

As long as he is right, then he will be justified. Even if he is not right, it is not wrong to make trouble without reason.

"Occupying the people's land and living a life of extravagance and debauchery are the most important issues." Zhu Biao said immediately, "I have always been worried. Now many memorials to the Secretariat are not being submitted."

Ma Xun's expression changed, "Not really?"

"As for that," Zhu Biao said, "In the past, Prime Minister Li was in charge of the Secretariat, and he handled some matters before reporting them. Yang Xian was the same, he handled things first and then reported them. Hu Weiyong seems to be better, but he is not much better."

In history, Zhu Yuanzhang was merciless when he killed Hu Weiyong, largely because Hu Weiyong, the prime minister, was autocratic.

Not to mention forming cliques for personal gain, they were able to do many things without letting the emperor know, whether it was the coming of foreign envoys to Beijing or the confiscation of children of convicted officials, Hu Weiyong and others made all the decisions on their own.

Seeing Ma Xun's worried expression, Zhu Biao smiled and comforted him, "Uncle, don't think too much. Some situations are pleasing to see. The more rebellious they are now, the easier it will be to deal with them in the future."

That's right, let's fatten up Hu Weiyong and others before killing them. Then we can legitimately depose the prime minister, and everything will be justified and no one can say anything.

After all, by that time everyone had seen the harmfulness of the prime minister system, so even if they had opinions, they had to keep them to themselves.

Zhu Biao then spoke up, "If uncle goes to Fengyang to investigate the case, how should he investigate?"

This question got to the point. Ma Xun didn't understand so he asked, "I really don't know how to investigate the case. Please enlighten me, Your Highness."

If you understand, you understand; if you don’t understand, you don’t understand.

This has always been Ma Xun's characteristic. He will not pretend to know something he does not know, nor will he brag about being knowledgeable.

Even in front of younger people like Zhu Biao, Ma Xun always knew what he should know and asked what he should ask.

Zhu Biao smiled and said, "When the time comes, arrange for a few people from the Imperial Guards' Office to follow Uncle. Uncle can investigate openly, and they can investigate secretly. But they can only do their job if Uncle bears the pressure from the nobles."

The Imperial Guard Commandery, which is the predecessor of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, was established this year.

Seeing Ma Xun nod, Zhu Biao said, "But if your uncle has verified the corruption and the occupation of people's land, you must not report it to my father first."

Ma Xun asked with some suspicion, "Biao'er, it's not good to hide such a big thing from your father, right?"

Just think about it, the prince asked his uncle to use the secret service to investigate the background of the nobles, and even after catching them he didn't report it to the emperor. Just thinking about it makes you feel that the prince has ulterior motives!
Zhu Biao was stunned for a moment, and was amused by Ma Xun's tone, "Uncle, you dare to make such a joke! You are going to make your nephew suffer!"

Ma Xun felt wronged, but he didn't say anything. It seemed that the prince was overthinking and over-interpreting.

Zhu Biao then smiled and explained, "My parents are now preparing to rectify the administration and social atmosphere, so it's okay for my mother. But my father has always liked to use harsh punishments, so it's not a good idea to use severe punishments now."

Ma Xun asked in surprise, "In troubled times, heavy punishments should be used. Isn't that what should be done?"

"It is true that we must correct the wrongs." Zhu Biao explained patiently, "It is just that we cannot be too strict with the nobles right now. We must find the right time and use layers of deterrence."

Ma Xun seemed to understand what Zhu Biao meant. "Do you think that we still have the Northern Yuan Dynasty and Ming Xia, and we still need these nobles to contribute?"

Zhu Biao further said, "It is partly due to the fact that the Northern Yuan Dynasty and Ming Xia are not the key. These people have fought for many years and have made great contributions to the court. We must give them a warning before we can really punish them."

For a moment, Ma Xun didn't know whether to say that Zhu Biao was kind and righteous, or whether to say that the crown prince was also very strict by nature.

But if you think about it, there is nothing wrong with this arrangement. Since the court has the laws, it should be enforced. Sometimes we cannot blindly indulge the powerful just because of their past achievements.

First set up a few examples, and then punish a few nobles for crimes that are not too serious or too light.

It would be best if the relationship between the monarch and his subjects could be fulfilled, but if those people still didn't know how to advance or retreat, then there would be no mercy. Ma Xun didn't think there was anything wrong with doing this. He had a clearer understanding of Zhu Biao's methods and personality.

From the very beginning, he didn't think Zhu Biao was a pedantic person, but as Zhu Biao continued to grow, he became more and more sophisticated in some methods and schemes.

Looking at the time, Ma Xun felt that he was his nephew after all, "Why don't you stay here for dinner? It just so happens that your aunt has asked Wan'er to come over."

Zhu Biao felt a little embarrassed, "What a coincidence, I already knew that my aunt helped Wan'er with needlework every day."

He really is my nephew. He is so shameless and rude, and they are basically the same.

It's natural for him to act cute after getting an advantage and pretend to be ignorant when he knows the truth.

Ma Xun said to Xu E who was outside the study, "Go and call the Madam back."

Xu E naturally went to pass on the message without saying a word. Zhu Biao grew up under her care, so some things did not need to be said directly. She knew what to do.

When they arrived at the main hall, they saw Zhu Biao and Chang Wan sitting together chatting. Ma Xun and Liu Shuning left tactfully. There was no need to stare at them or worry about them doing anything rude.

Zhu Biao and Chang Wan are more aware of the fact that emotions start from emotions but are limited by etiquette.

That is to say, it is not convenient for them to meet every day now, so there is no need for others to worry about the relationship between this young couple.

Liu Shuning whispered, "The King of Qin went to Duke Wei's house two days ago. He said that he had gained some experience in martial arts training and asked Duke Wei for advice on military tactics."

Ma Xun asked in surprise, "How come he has such an idea?"

"I didn't see the Duke of Weiguo. He went there when the Duke of Weiguo was not at home." Liu Shuning laughed and gossiped. "Sister-in-law Chang heard about it and said that she learned it from you. I don't know what military tactics she learned."

Ma Xun suddenly became anxious. It seemed that his reputation was ruined by his nephews. What did they mean by learning from his uncle?
But after thinking about it carefully, Ma Xun felt that his role model role was not very good. Before getting married, he did occasionally drop by Liu Bowen to learn military tactics.

Now, the eldest nephew has learned some false politeness and taken it seriously, and the second nephew has specifically learned how to go on dates under the guise of learning military tactics.

If this continues, I don’t know what my third nephew, fourth nephew and youngest nephew can learn!
If you think about it more carefully, my nephew may really want to study medicine.

But the second brother has to be careful. Although Ma Xun knows that there is no such thing as free love in this day and age, he doesn't want the second brother to be very unhappy because of marriage issues.

This is a big deal, and I need to think about it carefully and come up with a solution that seems foolproof.

Zhu Chong's marriage also involved political affairs.

When it’s really time for dinner, we should eat and chat.

Chang Wan asked curiously, "Uncle, the girl from the Deng family asked me to ask, uncle, do you have any tricks for women's pale face and cold sweats every month?"

Ma Xun was stunned for a moment, then got angry, "Just ask your aunt to ask me, how can you ask directly?"

Chang Wan put down her bowl and chopsticks, smiled and said, "Uncle is a doctor, so naturally he is kind. Besides, uncle is the elder, so why can't we, the younger generation, ask directly?"

Zhu Biao was confused and asked curiously, "What's going on?"

Chang Wan smiled and said, "You don't understand. This is a girl's business. It's rare for a girl from the Deng family to ask me to do something, so I naturally have to be more attentive."

Zhu Biao was still confused, and then he said, "Uncle, since it is the sister of the Deng family who asked Wan'er to do it, how about you go and check her pulse?"

Look, this is the end of the miracle doctor. All the difficult and complicated diseases are pushed to him. He is not a real miracle doctor at all.

Ma Xun said helplessly, "Okay, I'll take a look at it when the time comes. But let's be clear about this matter. It may not be helpful even if I take a look. Let me think of some folk remedies to alleviate the problem."

Liu Shuning and Chang Wan both looked at Ma Xun with admiration.

Since my husband (uncle) said so, there must be a way. He can even cure dysmenorrhea. I still underestimated his medical skills.

But it's normal if you think about it. The nobles in Huaixi all said that the method he summarized to improve pregnancy was very useful. In this case, gynecology must not be difficult for him.

Zhu Biao realized it a little later and then his face looked strange.

My uncle is not only good at surgery, first aid and chronic diseases, but also good at gynecology!
This is good news. I have to tell my parents when I get back. If Wan'er hadn't gotten one of my uncle's specialties out of me, he would have been too embarrassed to say it. After all, my uncle can be a little pedantic sometimes.

These are obvious things. When Wan'er mentioned these, her uncle became a little angry.

My uncle is good at these things, so it will be much more convenient to treat the royal children in the future.

If we summarize and utilize it well, we can further highlight the reputation of kindness of me and Wan'er.

(End of this chapter)